Rocko is Still Trying His Best in New Series From BOOM! Studios

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“Ryan Ferrier (Regular Show) and Ian McGinty (Adventure Time) continue BOOM! Studios’ partnership with Nickelodeon with all-new stories about everyone’s favorite wallaby! When Rocko faces unemployment, a terrible living situation, and increasingly slim job prospects, he is forced to find out just how far he is willing to go to get a job. Includes a bonus short story by KC Green where Ed Bighead finds himself in the dentist chair of Dr. Hutchison!”

Nostalgia runs through my bloodstream right now. We’re in an age where nostalgia for everything 90s is just the best thing on the planet. You know what else was best in the 90s? Cartoons. Rocko’s Modern Life was one of the most prominent parts of my life growing up. Rocko was the epitome of the phrase “I’m trying my best.” BOOM! Studios in partnership with Nick recently gathered a team to release comics based on the many misadventures of our charming wallaby and his friends.

via BOOM! Studios

Ryan Ferrier continues to be one of the best writers that everyone should be talking about. Ferrier has a way of bringing you the nostalgic sentiment of any property (see: Kong on the Planet of the Apes), but able to provide his voice and sense of misadventure to it deliver it to another level. With something like Rocko, you’re always in fear that it might not go as planned. Have faith. Ferrier does an incredible job of capturing the feel of the original cartoon that begins a rejuvenation and new nostalgic feel. He shines in establishing the whole narrative together. Taking bits and pieces and assembling it into his own Rocko story. Ferrier gives fans what they love, while also being an expert in capturing the classic characters themselves.

Rocko, again, is the epitome of “I’m trying my best.” In Rocko’s Modern Life #1, that Rocko makes himself known through Ferrier. The Rocko that’s trying to make the best out of a bad situation and adult the best way he can without having to compromise himself and keeping his anger down. That’s always been one of the best things about Rocko. Even though it’s a wacky existence in O-Town, it includes some things about being an adult, living day to day and keeping on your grind. Ferrier does an impressive job of not only capturing who Rocko is but leaving us craving more of his Rocko to see what happens next.

via BOOM! Studios

Ian McGinty is made for Rocko’s Modern Life. This is a world already established, but McGinty makes this something of his creation. The zany, eccentric world of O-Town brought to life again by McGinty’s pencils are what dreams are made of. He contributes another layer of nostalgia to Ferrier’s script, making this one of the best creative teams for this comic. One thing I love is how different his panels are. They do something new that makes the comic feel as crazy as it is. He presents panels on top of one another, ones that resemble Tetris shapes, others that give different bends and curves. Its one of the inventive and unique things that allow the story to come together.

With the wacky illustrations of McGinty, Fred C. Stresing comes in mighty with colors. He layers O-Town with multicolors mixed creating both an even more silly town, but also leaving you with a feeling of happiness and enthusiasm as you read. This is one comic where colors play a part in invoking emotions. Ferrier creates lively narrative and dialogue that make you laugh. McGinty pencils create a wackily weird landscape that makes you upside down. Stresing pulls both those together and completes the comic with absolute joy in his colors, playing upon the script and pencils to splash this world with a multitude of colors that fits with this realm.

via BOOM! Studios

Rocko’s Modern Life #1 sent me to search for my complete season, wrap myself in my Heffer throw blanket and binge. It’s a perfect piece of the 90s to bring old fans and new into the series. A bonus in the 26-page comic is a short story written by KC Green. He ends this brilliantly animated comic on a high note with four pages that will leave you laughing. Rocko’s Modern Life #1 creates a new type of Rocko out of the old but will leave you elated knowing its in great hands. Rocko’s Modern Life #1 is now available on Comixology and your local comic shop.